Feb. 10, 2026
VIROQUA, Wis. — Vernon County has received a $447,786 grant to continue its Domestic Violence Initiative, ensuring the program can operate through 2028 after unexpected federal funding cuts last year, officials announced.
The grant was awarded by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health through the Wisconsin Partnership Program. County leaders said the funding arrived at a critical time, preventing any interruption in services for people affected by intimate partner violence.
The Domestic Violence Initiative began in 2023 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice. The program was created to strengthen the county’s response to domestic violence, improve support for survivors and provide treatment and accountability programs for offenders.
Federal funding for the program was unexpectedly canceled in April 2025. To avoid shutting down services, the Vernon County Board of Supervisors funded the initiative through the end of 2025 while program leaders searched for new financial support.
County officials said the new grant ensures the program will continue without a lapse in services.
The initiative is led by Vernon County in partnership with Stonehouse Counseling, Family & Children’s Center, Hansen Assessment and Educational Services, and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office. Together, the partners have developed new services and streamlined coordination among agencies that respond to domestic violence.
Over the past three years, the initiative has formed the Help End Abuse Response Team, or HEART, which trains volunteers to support survivors and assist law enforcement at domestic violence incidents. The effort also launched a countywide Coordinated Community Response Team that meets monthly to review cases and improve policies and procedures. Additionally, sexual assault nurse examiners have been trained within the county, and local clinicians have received training to assess domestic violence cases and lead group programs for individuals charged with domestic violence offenses.
The Wisconsin Partnership Program grant will allow Vernon County to continue these programs and further expand them. The Vernon County Public Health Department and the UW–Madison Division of Extension will join the initiative as new partners.
Megan Rahr, a Vernon County community health worker, will lead public listening sessions, gather community feedback and provide training for local professionals. Sheena Cook‑Fuglsang, Regional Community Health Coordinator for the UW–Madison Extension’s Southwest Wisconsin Region, will help integrate community input into program planning and evaluate the initiative’s implementation and impact.
County officials said the Domestic Violence Initiative reflects their commitment to strengthening public safety, improving community collaboration and elevating outcomes for residents affected by domestic violence. They said the new grant positions the county to continue building sustainable, community‑driven solutions.
For more information, residents may contact Vernon County Community Development Director Amy Oliver at amy.oliver@vernoncountywi.gov or 608‑637‑5379.
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